What Are the Consequences of Participant Reluctance?
Participant reluctance can have several adverse effects on epidemiological research:
1. Bias and Skewed Data: When certain groups are underrepresented due to reluctance, the study results may be biased and not reflective of the entire population.
2. Reduced Validity: Insufficient participation can compromise the validity and reliability of the study outcomes.
3. Increased Costs and Delays: Low participation rates can lead to increased costs and extended timelines as researchers may need to recruit additional participants to meet study requirements.
